Countdown To Super Bowl Xl

Head To Head

Antwaan Randle El

Steelers Returner

Vs.

Tom Rouen

Seahawks Punter

February 4, 2006|Alex Marvez

SCOUTING RANDLE EL:

A converted college quarterback from Indiana who has emerged as a jack-of-all-trades in the NFL. ... Tallied 1,095 all-purpose yards during the regular season as a receiver, returner and rusher. ... Also completed all three of his pass attempts for 67 yards and one touchdown. ... Had the highest punt-return average (10.2 yards) of any player with 40 or more attempts during the regular season.

SCOUTING ROUEN:

A 13-year veteran who was signed four games into the regular season to replace the ineffective Leo Araguz. ... Spent 2003 and 2004 with Seattle. ... Suffered a severe hamstring injury four games into the 2004 season that eventually led to his release. ... Ranked 28th in net average (35.0 yards) and tied for 24th in gross average (41.6) during the regular season. ... Punted for Pittsburgh in 2002.

ANALYSIS:

Rouen can't afford any more bad punts like he had in the NFC Championship Game against Carolina when Steve Smith fielded a low line drive and returned it for a 59-yard touchdown. Randle El was the NFL's only player to return two punts for touchdowns during the regular season. Rouen, 37, no longer possesses the same leg strength as earlier in his career with Denver (1993-2001).

--ALEX MARVEZ

COMMENT: "He's probably the best returner in the league. You've got to try and get the ball high in the air, contain him and get him tackled. He's tremendous."

-- Rouen on the challenge that Randle El presents

SMITH: VIDEO KING

If the outcome of an annual Super Bowl-week videogame competition is any indication, San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith should rebound from a rough rookie campaign in 2006.

Smith defeated Baltimore wide receiver Mark Clayton 28-14 in the finals of the EA Sports Madden Bowl 2006 event Thursday night. Smith and Clayton both played as the Indianapolis Colts, which is understandable considering how badly their own team's offenses played during the regular season.

Among the players in attendance with local ties included Dolphins right tackle Vernon Carey, Washington wide receiver Santana Moss (University of Miami) and Indianapolis tailback Edgerrin James (UM).